I just installed the alta V1 intercooler. i have about a 5 psi loss in boost.
the car feels a little sluggish untill i hit around 5000 RPM then i feel power really kick in.
is this normal?
If this is the norm with these, then what am i gaining from this? just the cooling power??
should I go from a 15% pulley, to a 19% to compensate?

thoughts concerns??

also, when i took the old IC off i noticed a noticeable amount of oil that had accumulated in the ic. enough to drip, and puddle a little around the IC couplings.

thanks for all the help guys/gals

-Malcon

(also, the driver side IC boot doesnt really seem to fit to well. Its a bit long. Are any other of you having this problem? or do they fit perfectly in place of the stock boots.
thanks again)

 

You will lose some PSI due to the size of the V1. I think that 5psi sounds like a bit much tho. Might be the boot fitment, possible leak? With the car running can you hear any air escaping from around the boots?

The oil in collecting in the IC and boots is normal. You can minimize it with an oil catch can or just take the IC off every once in awhile and clean it.

 

I had the exact same experience. I went to a DFIC and since it is so small my car reacted MUCH quicker. Whether it cools faster or not is 760 posts long.

 

yeah i thought i checked the boots. it seems like they are sealed... but the fitment on the driver side boot is not to great.
its like its just to long...I had a heck of a time trying to get the IC on there.
I do have a catch can installed. It collected the oil like this with in 3 months.

I'll have to listen closely to see if i can hear any air escaping though. good idea

 

Yeah, check the rubber boots that they are not rolled in or pinched.

 

both alta couplings should fit comfortably on the IC and the two Bells right?
Is there a trick to putting on the IC?
I always struggle to get it on there.
thanks again

 

The smaller Alta boot can be really difficult to get on as it is really tight. You can heat them up with hot water and then use a soapy solution to help them slide on. I always shove the boot on the left side as far back on the horn as it can go, fit the right side boot as it should and tighten it down, line up the left and then slide the boot from the horn onto the intercooler and tighten it down. You should fit the intercooler with the OEM boots and see if it is boosting the same.

 

good idea.
thanks

 

What kinda vacuum are you pulling at idle?

 

I'll have to get back to you on that... I think 10?
When i get off work I'm going to know another inspection.

 

ok I think maybe one of the boots is creating the boost leak. Tomorrow afternoon I'm going to try and refit the boot. thanks guys

 

OK well I put the stock the boots on and the boost seems to hold. Actually I'm boosting higher than 15...

the car feeling like it gets more power around 5000 rpm, could that be because the belt may be slipping??
just a thought.
thanks for all the help!
-Malcon

 

i personally lost boost when i got to higher rpms when my belt was slipping. up until about 4,500-5000 i couldn't tell that teh belt was slipping at all

 

that makes sence

Last night i drove the car around, And i would be around 10 psi untill 4500 or so, then it would shot up to 16 or so psi

 

Malcon, what boots were you using?

 

I was using the alta boots. they didnt really fit on the right side. So now i have the stock Boots and it seems to be working much better.

 

I actually bought some new OEM boots to replace the Altas I had because the OEM boots are so much easier to work with.

 

yes indeed. It took my 5 min to put the IC on. with the alta it took me at least 30 min... and a bloody knuckle haha